China Visa

China has many types of visas for foreigners who wish to enter China with different purposes. If you are planning to visit China but don’t know how to apply for a China Visa, you can keep reading and get some useful information here.

Main China Visa Types      

L Visa (Tourist Visa) - This kind of visa is issued to those who wish to enter mainland China for tourist purposes.

M Visa (Business Visa) - It is issued to those who plan to enter China for commercial and trade activities.

Z Visa (Work Visa) - It is issued to foreigners who are taking up a post or employment in China, and their family members.

F Visa (Exchange Visa) - It is issued to those who come to China for study tours, cultural exchange, research, lecture and other non-business activities.

X Visa (Student Visa) - It is issued to those who come to China for study.

China Tourist Visa

How to Apply for A Chinese Visa?

Step 1: You should check China Visa Free Policy to know clearly whether you need a visa to enter China. It can save time for foreigners to enter China without applying for a visa prior to departure when certain requirements are met.

Step 2: If you need a Chinese visa, please decide what kind of visa you need to apply for. You can make a decision according to your purpose for visiting China. Usually, if you are about to take a vacation in China, you need to apply for a Tourist Visa (L Visa).

Step 3: You can start to prepare the required documents for the application. Make sure you have your original signed U.S. passport that is valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into China. Then, you need to fill out a Chinese visa application form online. And prepare two recently-taken front passport-size bareheaded color photos with a size of 33mm*48mm. You also need to submit a document that proves your current residential address. If you are a non-U.S. citizen, you must send a photocopy of your U.S. Green Card or your U.S. visa. If you are applying for a tourist visa, you may need additional documents to show the itinerary, including an air ticket booking record (round trip) and proof of a hotel reservation in China. Or you can provide an invitation letter issued by a relevant entity or individual in China to replace the air ticket and hotel booking details. However, if you are applying for other types of visas, you may need other supporting documents. If you are not sure about what documents you need to prepare, you can consult us when you are booking your China tour with us.

Where to Apply for a China Visa

You can either apply for a China Visa at a Chinese Embassy or Consulate General in your country or apply via a China Visa Application Service Center or a China Visa agent. Normally, the process takes 4 business days and it is recommended to submit your visa application about one month before the date of your China tour.

Visa for Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, and Tibet

Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region in China, which means that it has its own entry policy. If your China tour route includes Hong Kong, you will need to get a visa for HK SAR too. But visitors from over 160 countries can enter Hong Kong for a certain period without a visa.

Macau also carries on its own entry regulations. Visitors from over 60 countries are exempt from a visa to enter Macau for a certain period. And visitors from some other countries can apply for an entry permit on arrival.

Going to Tibet requires a Tibet Travel Permit issued by the Tourism Bureau of Tibet Autonomous Region. Only a China-based travel agency can help foreigners apply for the Tibet Permit with their passport and China Visa.